This International Standard specifies the manual methods to be used for obtaining samples of liquid or semi-liquid hydrocarbons, tank residues and deposits from fixed tanks, railcars, road vehicles, ships and barges, drums and cans, or from liquids being pumped in pipelines.

It applies to the sampling of petroleum products, crude oils and intermediate products, which are stored in tanks at or near atmospheric pressure, or transferred by pipelines, and are handled as liquids at temperatures from near ambient up to 200 °C.

The sampling procedures specified are not intended for the sampling of special petroleum products which are the subject of other International Standards, such as electrical insulating oils (IEC 60475), liquefied petroleum gases (ISO 4257), liquefied natural gases (ISO 8943) and gaseous natural gases (ISO 10715).

This International Standard refers to existing methods of sampling and the type of equipment presently in use. It is, however, not intended that it should exclude the use of new equipment not yet developed for commercial use, provided that such equipment enables samples to be obtained in accordance with the requirements and procedures of this International Standard.